Tidal flow modulator

ABSTRACT

Tidal modulators are described by which the tidal flow may be started, stopped, or regulated by movable parts that open, shut, or partially obstruct one or more passageways to modulate the tidal flow so as to enhance capturing its energy.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 61/406,910, filed Oct. 26, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present subject matter is generally related to hydrodynamic machinery, and is specifically related to tidal regulators.

BACKGROUND

Tidal power is the future of electricity generation. Among the few sources of renewable energy, tidal power can be reaped from limited locales with sufficiently high tidal ranges or flow velocities. However, many recent innovations, such as dynamic tidal power, tidal lagoons, axial turbines, and cross-flow turbines, indicate that the total availability of tidal power can be much higher, and that economic and environmental costs may be much lower.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In one aspect, a product form of the subject matter comprises a tidal modulator, which includes a center valve and a pair of butterfly valves. Each of the butterfly valve's axial centers is oriented in a first plane that is in parallel to a second plane of an axial center of the center valve and is further oriented in a third plane that is perpendicular to the second plane of the axial center of the center valve. The third plane is collocated with respect to the first plane at a 90 degree angle. The center valve includes an elongated blade, and each butterfly valve includes another elongated blade. The elongated blade of the center valve is configured to be thick in the center and tapered towards its termini. The elongated blade of one butterfly valve is configured to be thick in the center and tapered towards its termini. In the same aspect, the tidal modulator further comprises a quartet of columns. The axial center of the center valve is equidistant to termini of the quartet of columns.

In the same aspect which may be couched as a shut position, the terminus of the elongated blade of one butterfly valve is in proximal relationship to a first terminus of the elongated blade of the center valve and another terminus of the elongated blade of another butterfly valve is in proximal relationship to a second terminus of the elongated blade of the center valve. In the same aspect which may be couched as an open position, the terminus of the elongated blade of one butterfly valve is in distal relationship to a first terminus of the elongated blade of the center valve and another terminus of the elongated blade of another butterfly valve is in distal relationship to a second terminus of the elongated blade of the center valve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an archetypical tidal modulator in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the archetypical tidal modulator in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the archetypical tidal modulator in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the archetypical tidal modulator in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 5 is another side view of the archetypical tidal modulator in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the top of the archetypical tidal modulator in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the bottom of the archetypical tidal modulator in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an archetypical movable part of the tidal modulator to effectuate modulation of the tidal flow in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a front or back view of the archetypical movable part of the tidal modulator in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the archetypical movable part of the tidal modulator in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the top of the archetypical movable part of the tidal modulator in accordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the bottom of the archetypical movable part of the tidal modulator in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present subject matter are directed to hydrodynamic machinery by which the flow of fluid may be started, stopped, or regulated by movable and/or stationary parts that open, shut, or partially obstruct one or more ports or passageways. A tidal modulator 100 that modulates tidal flow is a suitable example of such hydrodynamic machinery. Various embodiments of the present subject matter modulate tidal flow through a hydrodynamic array, such as a tidal bridge. Tidal flow variances encompass a wide range of flow rates through the tidal bridge configured to product electricity not only from ocean tides but also river currents. Without modulation, conventional tidal capture devices operate in a much narrower range of tidal flows. By incorporating the tidal modulator 100, various embodiments of the present subject matter permit the tidal bridge to capture a wider range of tidal flow variances. Flow modulation is achieved by actuating butterfly valves 102 a, 102 b, such as in spaces between the caissons and storm surge areas above upper rotor assemblies and below a machinery chamber of the tidal bridge, and also in the marine loch system.

The tidal bridge is an array of hydrodynamic elements (not shown). Each hydrodynamic element is a set of members and includes four columns (such as columns 122 a, 122 b, 122 c, and 122 c). The four columns 122 a, 122 b, 122 c, and 122 c rest on grooves, which are bored into the top of a base plate block. The base plate block (not shown) has numerous feet to rest on the seafloor. Besides the four columns 122 a, 122 b, 122 c, and 122 c, and the base plate block, the hydrodynamic element also includes a nested machinery chamber (mentioned but not shown), rotor assemblies (mentioned but not shown), fins (not shown), and a platform/bearing assembly (not shown). In one embodiment, the hydrodynamic element includes mechanical, electrical, and electronic members to form a vertical axis hydraulic turbine for producing energy from ocean tides or river currents. Each hydrodynamic element is interconnected with other hydrodynamic element via latches to form the tidal bridge.

Each column, such as columns 122 a, 122 b, 122 c, and 122 d, includes a longitudinal mortise 106 at a top, situated between an upper lip 108 a and a lower lip 108 b. The longitudinal mortise 106 terminates at either end of the column, which opens to an L-shaped ledge. The bottom of each column is finished into a longitudinal tenon 110. At the shoulders from which the longitudinal tenon 110 is projected, two notched longitudinal members 112 a, 112 b are situated in parallel along the shoulders. Each longitudinal tenon 110 of one column from one quartet of columns is interconnected with another longitudinal mortise 106 of another column of another quartet of columns so that the shoulders and therefore the notched longitudinal members 112 a, 112 b of the longitudinal tenon 110 rest on the lips 108 a, 108 b of the corresponding longitudinal mortise 106, to link the quartets of columns together to obtain desired height.

In one embodiment, an arrangement of a quartet of columns 122 a, 122 b, 122 c, and 122 d, each thickly made from reinforced marine concrete having an elliptical or other suitable cross-sectional shape. In one embodiment, the quartet of columns 122 a, 122 b, 122 c, and 122 d guides the tidal flow through one or more butterfly valves 102 a, 102 b, and a center valve 104, so that tidal flow can be regulated. To facilitate this effect in which the flow of fluid may be started, stopped, or regulated by movable and/or stationary valves 102 a, 102 b, and 104 that open, shut, or partially obstruct fluid passageways created by the quartet of columns 122 a, 122 b, 122 c, and 122 d, the relationship of the butterfly valves 102 a, 102 b, one to the other, is controlled. Each butterfly valve 102 a, 102 b is actuated to achieve desired tidal flow within the rotor bays of the tidal bridge so as to allow the tidal bridge to harvest tidal power in greater range, and to allow for volumetric egress of water from storm surge or flooding conditions, which reduces flow velocities through the tidal bridge.

Each of the butterfly valves 102 a, 102 b, is an elongated blade, which in one embodiment is configured to be thicker in the center of the body of the elongated blade and is tapered toward either terminus 114 a, 114 b. In this embodiment, a cross-section of the elongated blade suitably has an elliptical shape. Other shapes can be suitably used in other embodiments for the elongated blade as long as the shape configuration facilitates the regulating function of the butterfly valves 102 a, 102 b, against tidal flow. At the center of the top of the elongated blade is a pivoting assembly 116 which topmost member 116 a is a cylinder with teeth around its circumference. This topmost member 116 a is situated axially on top of the remaining members of the pivoting assembly 116, which secure the topmost member 116 a to the elongated blade. When a pivoting controller mechanism (not shown) is coupled to the topmost member 116 a, rotational movement is communicated to the topmost member, causing it to pivot the butterfly valve 102 a, 102 b to a desired position to open, shut, or partially obstruct fluid passageways so as to regulate tidal flow. Axially corresponding to the pivoting assembly 116 is a tail assembly 118, which supports the elongated blade from the bottom.

As mentioned before, the tidal bridge comprising the hydrodynamic elements of which are arranged among quartets of columns (such as columns 122 a, 122 b, 122 c, and 122 d). Each hydrodynamic element of the tidal bridge comprises one or more rotor assemblies supported by the quartet of columns that sits upon a base plate block configured to receive the motion of ocean tides or river currents acting against each hydrodynamic element to generate electricity. The quartet of columns not only serves as structural support that also houses bearing assemblies, and in some embodiments enhances the hydrofoil aspect ratio, the quartet of columns also guides tidal flow into the butterfly valves 102 a, 102 b, and the center valve 104, a portion or all of which are configured to regulate the tidal flow.

Regarding the center valve 104, it is another elongated blade, which in one embodiment is configured to be thicker in the center of the body of the elongated blade and is then tapered toward either terminus 118 a, 118 b. In this embodiment, a cross-section of the elongated blade suitably has an elliptical shape. Other shapes can be suitably used in other embodiments for the elongated blade as long as the shape configuration facilitates the regulating function of the center valve 104, against tidal flow. At the center of the top of the elongated blade is a positioning assembly 120 which topmost member is a plate which center defining an orifice into which a structural shaft may be inserted to center the center valve 104 and orients it equidistant to the termini of the quartet of columns. This plate is situated axially on top of the positioning assembly 120 which secures the plate to the elongated blade. Axially corresponding to the positioning assembly 116 is a supporting assembly 124, which supports the elongated blade from the bottom.

In various figures, two members of the quartet of columns are in parallel to the other two remaining members of the quartet of columns. For example, columns 122 a, 122 b are in parallel position with respect to columns 122 c, 122 d. As mentioned above, the center valve 104 is oriented to be radially equidistant to the inner termini of the quartet of columns. The elongated blade of the center valve 104 is suitably situated so that its longitudinal body lies in parallel with the quartet of columns. The butterfly valves 102 a, 102 b are situated parallel to each other, each of which is on either side of the elongated blade of the center valve 104. Suitably, the axial center of each of the butterfly valve is oriented in a first plane that is in parallel to a second plane of the axial center of the center valve 104 and is further oriented in a third plane that is perpendicular to the second plane of the axial center of the center valve 104, wherein the third plane is collocated with respect to the first plane albeit at 90 degree angle.

In the shut position, the elongated blades of the butterfly valves 102 a, 102 b are oriented perpendicular to the elongated blade of the center valve 104 so that one of the termini of each butterfly valves 102 a, 102 b, is in proximity to the terminus of the elongated blade of the center valve 104, and the other termini of each butterfly valves 102 a, 102 b, is in proximity to the terminus of two members of the quartet of columns that are crosswise, such as columns 122 b, 122 c, or columns 122 a, 122 d. In the open position, the elongated blades of the butterfly valves 102 a, 102 b, are oriented in parallel to the elongated blade of the center valve 104, and is further oriented in parallel with each other. In the partial obstruction position, the elongated blades of the butterfly valves 102 a, 102 b, are oriented at a desired angle to regulate tidal flow.

While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A tidal modulator, comprising: a center valve; and a pair of butterfly valves, each of whose axial center being oriented in a first plane that is in parallel to a second plane of an axial center of the center valve and being further oriented in a third plane that is perpendicular to the second plane of the axial center of the center valve, the third plane being collocated with respect to the first plane at a 90 degree angle.
 2. The tidal modulator of claim 1, wherein the center valve includes an elongated blade and each butterfly valve includes another elongated blade.
 3. The tidal modulator of claim 2, wherein the elongated blade of the center valve is configured to be thick in the center and tapered towards its termini.
 4. The tidal modulator of claim 2, wherein the elongated blade of one butterfly valve is configured to be thick in the center and tapered towards its termini.
 5. The tidal modulator of claim 2, wherein a terminus of the elongated blade of one butterfly valve is in proximal relationship to a first terminus of the elongated blade of the center valve and another terminus of the elongated blade of another butterfly valve is in proximal relationship to a second terminus of the elongated blade of the center valve.
 6. The tidal modulator of claim 2, wherein a terminus of the elongated blade of one butterfly valve is in distal relationship to a first terminus of the elongated blade of the center valve and another terminus of the elongated blade of another butterfly valve is in distal relationship to a second terminus of the elongated blade of the center valve.
 7. The tidal modulator of claim 1, further comprising a quartet of columns.
 8. The tidal modulator of claim 7, wherein an axial center of the center valve is equidistant to termini of the quartet of columns.
 9. A tidal bridge comprising a tidal modulator as claimed in claim
 8. 